Amitriptyline or Afobazole, drug choice

For children under 6 years of age, only amitriptyline is suitable. Afobazole is prohibited until 18 years of age. Pregnant after the first trimester should choose Amitriptyline. Afobazole should not be used.

In case of a heart attack, cardiac conduction disturbances, angle-closure glaucoma, intoxication with alcohol and psychotropic substances, Afobazole is best preferred. This is also worth doing for those suffering from hypertension, asthma, schizophrenia and the elderly.

For the treatment of neurocirculatory dystonia and neurasthenia, Afobazole should be chosen. With arrhythmia, both options can be used. The final decision should be made based on the presence of contraindications and possible risks.

Amitriptyline should be preferred with a lack of lactase and glucose-galactose malalabsorption. In terms of cost, the first drug is more attractive, but it has a lot of side effects and can be dangerous. Afobazole is more desirable if you intend to treat yourself. Amitriptyline is strongly recommended as directed by a doctor. Only a specialist is able to take into account all the risks, age and condition of the patient. In accordance with them, the health worker makes an effective treatment regimen.

In recent years, the number of people who suffer from depression, neurosis, psychosis and anxiety has increased markedly. The main reasons for this phenomenon was the frantic pace of modern life and an increased level of stress. It also includes problems of an economic and social nature. Some people turn to psychiatrists who make the correct diagnosis and prescribe the right course of treatment. Others are self-medicating, having found signs of depression.

The pharmaceutical industry produces many different antidepressants. One of the most popular drugs is amitriptyline and afobazole. These drugs have many similarities. But there are much more differences between them. Therefore, before choosing it is worth carefully reading the description of each.

Amitriptyline

Amitriptyline refers to tricyclic antidepressants. Similar drugs contribute to an increase in the activity of neurotransmitters (hormones serotonin and norepinephrine). As a result of this, the manifestations of depressive disorders are greatly reduced.

The drug in question has the following pharmacological properties:

1. Antidepressant – reduces the severity of manifestations of depression, reduces the cause of such conditions (associated with an increase in the concentration of serotonin and norepinephrine in the central nervous system, and prevents the processes of reverse absorption)
2. Sedative – caused by an affinity for H1 histamine receptors and an alpha-adrenergic blocking effect.
3. Anesthetic – is in the central genesis (for example, with a headache).

Amitriptyline also has other properties. For example, antiulcer and antiarrhythmic. In addition, taking the drug eliminates nocturnal enuresis and reduces appetite. The maximum effect in the treatment of depression usually develops after 2-3 weeks of administration.

The main active substance is amitriptyline hydrochloride. Available in tablet form. Each contains 10 or 25 mg of the active ingredient. The package can be 10, 20, 30, 40 or 50 pieces. In addition to the tablet type, Amitriptyline can be purchased in the form of a solution for injection. In the contour cell there are 10 ampoules. In one ampoule, 2 ml of the active substance is present.

Indications for use of the drug are as follows:

• Depression of various origins.
• Violations of sleep and behavior.
• Emotional disorders of a mixed nature.
• Chronic pain.
• Bed-wetting.
• Migraine.

Amitriptyline is a very serious and dangerous drug. It is strictly forbidden to take with: myocardial infarction, hypersensitivity to any component of the composition, lactation, poisoning with alcohol or psychoactive substances, various disorders of the conduction of the heart muscle, angle-closure glaucoma, pregnancy (especially during the first trimester), under 6 years of age.

In addition to direct contraindications, there are conditional ones. The tool should be taken with caution in the presence of bronchial asthma, schizophrenia, hypertension, thyrotoxicosis. Elderly patients should compare the possible benefits and harms of treatment with the drug.

Side effects when taking Amitriptyline are common. Side symptoms can occur in the form of: trembling hands, confusion, constant thirst, decreased sex drive, increased nervous irritability, visual disturbances, digestive disorders, blood pressure spikes, tachycardia and hallucinations.

The listed symptoms are most pronounced in the first days of taking the drug. With a noticeable and persistent deterioration, it is recommended to consult a doctor. You can not abruptly stop therapy. It is necessary to gradually reduce the dose.

Overdose poses a threat to health and life. Sometimes the victim requires hospitalization. Poisoning is possible when taking too much dose at a time. Intoxication with amitriptyline and alcohol can be fatal. Due to this combination, the respiratory system is seriously impaired. It is also likely the development of severe intraventricular blockade, which leads to a critical condition of the patient.

Afobazole

Afobazole belongs to the pharmacological group of tranquilizers. It is a selective non-benzodiazepine axiolytic. This means that the product has a selective anti-anxiety effect. It is a mild antidepressant.

The drug has a combined effect. In it, the anti-anxiety effect is combined with a mild stimulating effect. The pharmacological properties of the drug are as follows:

• Anxiolytic (decrease in feelings of anxiety, fears and tension).
• Stimulating (activation of mental processes).
• Antidepressant (reduces the manifestation of depressive states, acting on the cause itself).
• Neutroprotective (restoration and protection of nerve cells).

The main active ingredient is fabomatizole hydrochloride. One tablet contains 5 or 10 mg of the active substance. The package may have a different number of pieces. The most common is 60 tablets. Also found are 10, 20, 25, 30, 50 and 100.

Afobazole is used for:

1. Anxiety disorders and conditions of various origins.
2. Sleep disturbances.
3. Withdrawal syndrome in case of alcohol and smoking cessation.
4. Neurocirculatory dystonia.
5. Arrhythmias.
6. Neurasthenia.

The list of contraindications is small. These include: individual intolerance, age less than 18 years, pregnancy and lactation. With lactation, treatment is possible, but breast-feeding should be stopped at this time. Afobazole is not recommended for individuals with a lactase deficiency in the digestive tract and glucose-galactose malabsorption.

Adverse symptoms are rare. Tolerance is pretty good. In some cases, allergies, digestive disorders and headaches are possible. An overdose is not particularly dangerous. It is characterized by increased drowsiness and weakness. Afobazole is compatible with alcohol; it does not interact with ethyl alcohol in the body.

What is common between drugs

The drugs in question have a number of similarities. These include the fact that both:

• They have an antidepressant effect.
• They are used for sleep disorders, depressive states.
• Used in the treatment of arrhythmia.
• Prohibited during pregnancy.

Despite the fact that there is a common between Amitriptyline and Afobazole, there are much more differences. When choosing a remedy for treatment, one must take into account both similarities and differences.

Comparison and how do they differ

At first glance, it may seem that there are no particular differences between the described drugs. But this is not a reality. Upon closer examination, the difference between Amitriptyline and Afobazole is quite significant.

1. The first is a tricyclic antidepressant, and the second is classified as a tranquilizer. Indications for use are also not quite the same. Afobazole is more used to eliminate anxiety, and amitriptyline is a powerful antidepressant.
2. Forms of release – the first is sold in the form of tablets and injection, and the second is only in tablet form.
3. The cost of amitriptyline is lower. It happens domestic and foreign production. The first will cost about 30-60 rubles. Afobazole has a price in the range of 240-300 rubles.
4. The severity of side effects – in the first drug, they are quite common. Especially in the first days of admission. In the second, they are not so pronounced and are short-lived.
5. Danger of overdose – in the case of Amitriptyline, there is a real threat of severe poisoning and poor health. Afobazole is less dangerous. When taking too large doses, pronounced drowsiness and weakness appear, passing after some time.
6. Presence of withdrawal syndrome – Amitriptyline causes the strongest withdrawal syndrome in the event of a sharp cessation of intake. Therefore, the dose must be reduced gradually. Afobazole does not require a gradual rejection, since there are practically no unpleasant symptoms.
7. Conditions of dispensing from pharmacies – the first is dispensed mainly with a prescription from the attending physician. the second is on sale.

As it becomes clear from the above, the difference between the means is very significant. It is certainly worth considering when choosing a drug. After all, what is ideal for one person will be contraindicated in another.